In his role as CEO of AQWEST he was heavily involved through the consultative process in the development of the State Water Plan. The South West Water Plan, The South West Yarragadee Project and in addition he was a member of the State Water Council that provided strategic advice to the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Geoffery has had previous community involvement as Chair of the In Town Lunch Centre in Bunbury, Chair of the Club Doctors Committee, Chair and Member of the Rotary Project, and long term involvement in Rotary; and Chair of the Steering committee for the Harvey River System Planning Project.

Geoffery has a passion for the lifestyle benefits and the people of the South West. He was born, educated and employed in the area and now retired to Dunsborough. He has had a long association with the natural environment from saiing on Koombana Bay as an 8 year old through to a continuing involvement judging surfing at a national level and a lifetime of working in the Water Industry. The term waterman is aptly used to describe an individual who excels in aquatic pursuits, from fishing, to swimming and surfing. In the case of GeoCatch’s newest member; Geoffery Oddy, the definition may need to be extended somewhat to include a lifetime of work aimed almost exclusively at keeping a check on that vital clear flowing liquid…water.

“I was born in Bunbury and lived close to the water most of my life”, says Geoff. “When I was young the water was my primary focus, living on the beach, swimming and surfing.”

“My first surfboard was a hollow wooden number and I wore footy shorts and a sleeveless woollen jumper surfing” he laughed. “In fact, in winter it was standard practice to have a raging fire on the beach, so we could all huddle around and try warm up!”

As well as playing in the water, Geoff has a long history of working in the water industry.

“My days of working in the water industry began in 1969, with the Irrigation and Draining Branch of the Public Works Department.”

“In one role, I was second in charge at the Busselton Drainage Office, which looked after the drainage area that is now the Geographe Catchment.”

After a long career spanning some 40 years in water and local government, including drainage, irrigation and water supply, Geoff ended up at the Bunbury Water Board, eventually becoming the first CEO of Aqwest.

“In 1996 an independent water utility was commissioned for Bunbury (Aqwest) and I gained the experience of setting up the governance for this whole body.”

The biggest change witnessed by Geoff in the water industry occurred in 1995 with the National Competition Reform, which was to make public utilities more open to competition, more business focused and to increase their efficiency on private sector guidelines. It was also anticipated that by freeing up the industry, more private players would come on board, something which Geoff claims simply hasn’t happened.

Geoff is also a long term committed community member and has chaired both the In Town Lunch Centre in Bunbury and the Club Doctor. The In Town Lunch Centre is a not for profit community organisation that provides the financially challenged members of the Bunbury community with a three course lunch for just three dollars.

“Prior to my time, the In Town Lunch Centre had run into some serious issues”, explains Geoff. “So when I arrived we sorted through all of those, got some systems in place and have now handed it on to others for the next stage of development.”

Speaking of the next stage of development, Geoff has now retired and moved to Dunsborough. Here he enjoys playing golf at Dunsborough Lakes, bowling at the Country Club and fishing in the bay out of his 4.8 metre Quintrex.

“Fish I’ve caught from since moving to Dunsborough include Dhufish, King George Whiting, Skippy, Samson Fish and Gummy Sharks.”

When he moved to Dunsborough, Geoff desired to once again get involved in the community and saw an opportunity within GeoCatch.

“I felt that with my background knowledge and long term exposure to the water industry and my role with the State Water Council providing policy advice direct to cabinet, I had a skill set that potentially matched GeoCatch’s needs.”

Asked what he most enjoyed about his role so far with GeoCatch, Geoff answered that it was the challenge it provided, as the groups role within the community was far broader than he had envisaged.